Monkeypox: Here is a list of dos and don’ts to keep virus at bay

NEW DELHI: Union health ministry has released a list of dos and don’ts to keep Monkeypox, at bay.

Dos

Isolating the infected person from others so that the disease does not spread.

Use of hand sanitizers.

Washing hands with soap and water.

Covering mouth with masks and hands with disposable gloves when close to a patient.

Use disinfectants to sanitize the environment around.

Dont’s

Avoid sharing linen, beddings, clothes, and towels, among others, with people who have tested positive for the infection.

Don’t wash soiled linen or laundry of patients and those of non-infected persons together.

Avoid public events even if you only exhibit symptoms of the disease.

“Do not stigmatize people who have contracted the virus, and suspected patients as well. Also, do not believe any rumor or misinformation,” it said.

What is monkeypox?

According to WHO, monkeypox is a viral zoonosis — a virus transmitted to humans from animals — with symptoms similar to smallpox although clinically less severe.

Monkeypox typically manifests itself with fever, rash, and swollen lymph nodes and may lead to a range of medical complications. It is usually a self-limited disease with symptoms lasting for two to four weeks.

The ‘Guidelines on Management of Monkeypox Disease’ issued by the Centre stated that human-to-human transmission occurs primarily through large respiratory droplets generally requiring prolonged close contact.

It can also be transmitted through direct contact with body fluids or lesions, and indirect contact with lesion material such as through contaminated clothing or linen of an infected person. Animal-to-human transmission may occur by bite or scratch of infected animals or through bushmeat preparation.
The incubation period is usually from six to 13 days and the case fatality rate of monkeypox has historically ranged up to 11 percent in the general population and higher among children. In recent times, the case fatality rate has been around 3 to 6 percent.

The symptoms include lesions that usually begin within one to three days from the onset of fever, lasting for around two to four weeks, and are often described as painful until the healing phase when they become itchy.

A notable predilection for palm and soles is characteristic of monkeypox, the guidelines stated.